Jig for cabinet door construction

ABSTRACT

A jig for holding doors during a work operation thereon and comprising a substantially rectangular frame supported at a predetermined elevation, with door supporting means provided on the frame and having fixed means for receiving an edge of the door thereagainst. Movable means is carried by the frame for engagement with an oppositely disposed edge of the door with respect to the edge against the fixed means, and means cooperates with the movable means for securely retaining the door between the movable means and fixed means. Means is also carried by the frame for spanning the upper surface of the door disposed in the door supporting means.

Johnson [451 May 30,1972

[54] JIG FOR CABINET DOOR CONSTRUCTION Jimmie Johnson, General Delivery, Ketchum, Okla. 74349 22 Filed: .0ct.2, 1969 21 Appl.No.: 863,249

[72] Inventor:

2,073,007 3/1937 Grow.... ..l44/288 X 2,560,902 7/1951 Smith.... ..269/287 X Giles ..l44/288 UX Primary ExaminerGil Weidenfeld Attorney-William S. Dorman [57] ABSTRACT A jig for holding doors during a work operation thereon and comprising a substantially rectangular frame supported at a predetermined elevation, with door supporting means provided on the frame and having fixed means for receiving an edge of the door thereagainst. Movable means is carried by the frame for engagement with an oppositely disposed edge of the door with respect to the edge against the fixed means, and means cooperates with the movable means for securely retaining the door between the movable means and fixed means. Means is also carried by the frame for spanning the upper surface of the door disposed in the door supporting means.

2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures Patented May 30, 1972 24 40 I8 ZZx/ a M I 42 1 I 7 m n 2 46 II" T 44 2 2O 34 r I0 H .1 'H I i 36 I6 1 I] I4 IO VIZ 6 INVENTOR. 36 I6 JIMMIE JOHNSON BY mam M m ATTORNEY JIG FOR CABINET DOOR CONSTRUCTION This invention relates to improvements in jigs, clamping devices, and more particularly,'but not by way of limitation, to a jig for securely holding flat objects, such as unfinished cabinet doors, and the like, in a substantially horizontal position during finishing or other work to be performed thereon.

In the wood working or cabinet finishing art, cabinet doors, andthe like, are often finished by the use of a template placed on the flat surface thereof whereby a router, or other tool, may be utilized in accordance with the desired end result. It is difficult to clamp or hold the door firmly and retain the template securely in position thereon during the work operation.

The present invention contemplates a novel adjustable clamping device or jig for holding the door and template. The jig comprises a substantially horizontal frame disposed at a convenient elevation for facilitating the work operation to be performed on the door. The frame includes a pair of oppositely disposed adjustable side memberswhich may be clamped against the corresponding edges of the door with sufficient pressure to hold the door in a horizontal position. In addition, the frame is provided with perpendicularly arranged overlay bars to steady the door clamped in the frame. Suitable templates, guides and the like for guiding or controlling the operation of routers or other cutting tools for working and finishing the surface of the door may be securely clamped in position onto the door.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a novel jig for securely holding a flat object, such as a cabinet door, during a work operation thereon.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel ad justable jig for securely clamping substantially any size cabinet door, or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel clamping jig particularly designed and constructed for supporting a work object at a convenient elevation during a work operation thereon.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel jig for cabinet doors wherein a template or the like may be securely retained in position against the door.

I It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel frame or jig that is simple and efficient in operation and economical and durable in construction.

Other and further objects and advantageous features of the present invention will hereinafter more fully appear in connection with a detailed description of the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a jig embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on lines 2-2 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a broken perspective view of a jig embodying the invention work a work object clamped thereon.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character generally indicates a jig comprising a frame 10 supported in a substantially horizontal position by a plurality of legs 12 as particularly shown in FIG. 1. The legs 12 may be adjustable wherein the elevation of the frame 10 may be selected at substantially any convenient work height and as shown herein the legs 12 may extend through or be adjustably secured within suitable sleeves 14 in any well known manner (not shown). The sleeves 14 may be secured to the frame 10 in any well known manner such as by welding, or the like, to provide stability for the jig 10.

The frame 10 preferably comprises a pair of oppositely disposed angle iron members 16 and 18 secured between the legs 12 in substantially mutually parallel relationship. The

- angle members 16 and 18 are preferably co-planar for supporting the opposite ends of a pair of fixed side members or guides 20 and 22. The guide members 20 and 22 are preferably constructed from angle iron or L-bars and are rigidly secured to the angles 16 and 18 in any suitable manner, such as by welding. An adjustable guide member 24, also preferably an angle iron or L-bar, is interposed between the side members 20 and 22 and is slidably supported upon the members 16 and 18 and extends therebetween. The side angle or L-bar members 20 and 22 are preferably disposed with one of their respective legs extending toward the interior of the frame 10 and with the other legs thereof extending upwards. The adjustable guide member 24 will also have one leg disposed upward, and the other leg thereof extending towards either of the side members 20 or 22 (shown here as extending in a direction towards member 20). The members 20, 22 and 24 are preferably identical in their cross-sectional dimensions.

The slidably disposed angle iron or L-bar member 24 can be adjusted in its substantially parallel displacement from the fixed member 20 by means of a threaded bolt 26 which operably threads through a block 28 rigidly affixed to the underside of the slidable member 24. The opposite ends of the bolt 26 are journalled and longitudinally fixed by blocks 30 and 32 rigidly affixed to the center bottoms of the side members 20 and 22. The threaded bolt 26 is operably rotated by means of a suitable hand crank 34 attached to one end thereof.

A clamp 36 is attached as by welding to one end of the slidable guide member 24 and is operable against the adjacent side 16 of the frame 10, for steadying or clamping the adjustable guide member 24 in substantially any desired preselected position from the fixed side member 20. The clamp 36 also permits or provides for making adjustments in the substantially parallel relationship of the slidable member 24 with respect to the fixed member 20.

A fixed, flat overlay bar 38 is secured as by welding between the upper edges of the fixed side members 20 and 22, at substantially right angles thereto and at the corresponding opposite ends thereof whereby said fixed overlay bar 38 will overlie that side 16 of the frame 10 at which the clamp 36 is located. It will be noted that the upper edge of the slidable member 24 will thus be tangent throughout its slidable disposition to the fixed overlay bar 38.

A second, slidable flat overlay bar 40, is also provided lying across and at substantially right angles to the fixedside members 20 and 22. This slidable overlay bar 40 may be disposed at any convenient position along the length of the fixed side members 20 and 22. The bar 40 may be clamped and fixed in substantially any desired position through the application of opposed pressure applied inwardly against the backs of the fixed side members 20 and 22. This pressure may be provided by downwardly extending overhang bar 42 carried by one end of the slidable overlay bar 40 and a cooperating clamp 44 operating inwardly through a downward overhang means 46 at the other end of the slidable overlay bar 36.

As particularly shown in FIG. 2, the crank handle 34 is suitably secured to a collar 50 which is rigidly secured to one end of the threaded shaft or bolt 26 in any well known manner, such as by a set screw 52, cotter key, or the like. A similar collar 54 is secured to the opposite end of the shaft 26 by means of a cotter key, or the like (not shown). The collar 50 will engage the block or sleeve 30 upon rotation of the shank 26 in one direction for limiting the left hand movement of the shank as viewed in FIG. 2. The collar 54 will engage the block or sleeve 32 upon rotation of the shank 26 in an opposite direction for limiting the right hand movement of the shank. Thus, accidental disengagement of the threaded bolt or shank 26 from the device 10 is substantially precluded.

In operation, the adjustable guide member 24 is displaced from the fixed side member 20 a distance slightly greater than the width of the door 48 (FIG. 3) or other object to be worked. One end of the door 48 may be disposed between the elements 20 and 24 and on the upper surface of the member 16 and beneath the bar 38. The door 48 may then be slid along the inwardly directed legs of the members 20 and 24 and pushed in a direction towards the element 18. Conversely, the door 48 may be disposed on the bar 18 and inwardly directed legs of the bars 20 and 24 and moved therealong in a direction toward the bar 38. Depending on the thickness of the door 48 being worked, the door will (preferably) be pushed under the fixed overlay bar 38 or against it. When the door 48 is so placed, the threaded bolt 26 is then turned to bring the slidable guide member 24 into firm contact against the corresponding edge of the door, so that the door is effectively clamped between the members 20 and 24. The play" between the thread bolt 26 and the threaded block 28 allows the slidable member 24 to adjust itself to some degree of irrectangularity of the door to be worked; and when the slidable member 24 has been drawn into firm contact along the edge of the door to be worked, the clamp 36 can be activated so as to lock the slidable member 24 into its door-holding position.

Once the door has been clamped in a horizontal position, the slidable overlay bar 40 may then be laid across the door and side members 20 and 22, and be clamped into position by the clamp 44 and overhang devices 42 and 46, to afford an element of vertical stability. Of course, if the thickness of the door is equal to that of the internal height of the members 20 and 24, this vertical stability may also be enhanced by the fixed overlay bar 38. Depending on the height of the fixed side members 20 and 24, and the downward length of the overhang devices 42 and 46, the slidable overlay bar 40 can accommodate doors of thickness somewhat greater than that merely equal to the internal height of the members 20 and 24.

When the door or object to be worked has been thus emplaced and clamped in the jig l0, templates, guides and the like (not shown) may thereafter be clamped onto the door by any conventional means, and the desired work performed on the door. In addition, any template for special trim work on a door wherein the template runs free around the outer periphery of the door with the router may be utilized with the present jig in that the overlay bars and L-shaped members provide an edge along which the movable template may be moved during the routing operation.

Whereas the present invention has been described in particular relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A jig for holding doors during a work operation thereon comprising a substantially rectangular frame supported at a predetermined elevation, door supporting means provided on the frame and having fixed means for receiving an edge of the door thereagainst, movable means carried by the frame for engagement with an oppositely disposed edge of the door disposed against said fixed means, means cooperating with said movable means for securely retaining the door between the movable means and fixed means, means carried by the frame for spanning the upper surface of the door disposed in the door supporting means, and wherein the fixed means includes an upright substantially L-shaped member facing the interior of the frame; wherein the movable means comprises an upright substantially L-shaped member facing the fixed member in a preselected parallel displacement therefrom, and the upper edges of said fixed member and movable member are substantially co-planar; wherein clamping means is provided at one end of the movable means for engagement with the frame to secure the movable member in said preselected position; wherein the cooperating means comprises a threaded bolt threadably journalled to the underside of the movable means, and non-threadably journalled to the underside of the frame, said threaded bolt being operable by crank means attached to one end thereof; wherein the spanning means includes a flat overlay bar having the opposite ends thereof affixed to the frame and upper edge of the fixed means and disposed substantially perpendicularly with respect to the fixed means, and a slidable flat overlay bar transversely disposed across the frame and upper edge of the fixed means, and securing means cooperating between said slidable overlay bar and the fixed means for removably securing the slidable overlay bar in preselected positions.

2. A jig for holding doors during a work operation thereon comprising a substantially rectangular frame support at a predetermined elevation, door support means provided on the frame and having fixed means for receiving an edge of the door thereagainst, movable means slidably secured to the frame for engaging and supporting an oppositely disposed edge of the door disposed against said fixed means, means cooperating with said movable means for securely retaining the door between the movable means and fixed means, and means carried by the frame for spanning the upper surface of the door disposed in the door supporting means, wherein the spanning means includes a flat overlay bar having the opposite ends thereof affixed to the frame and upper edge of the fixed means and disposed substantially perpendicular with respect to the fixed means, and a slidable flat overlay bar transversely disposed across the frame and upper edge of the fixed means, and securing means cooperating between said slidable overlay bar and the fixed means for removably securing the slidable overlay bar in preselected positions. 

1. A jig for holding doors during a work operation thereon comprising a substantially rectangular frame supported at a predetermined elevation, door supporting means provided on the frame and having fixed means for receiving an edge of the door thereagainst, movable means cArried by the frame for engagement with an oppositely disposed edge of the door disposed against said fixed means, means cooperating with said movable means for securely retaining the door between the movable means and fixed means, means carried by the frame for spanning the upper surface of the door disposed in the door supporting means, and wherein the fixed means includes an upright substantially L-shaped member facing the interior of the frame; wherein the movable means comprises an upright substantially L-shaped member facing the fixed member in a preselected parallel displacement therefrom, and the upper edges of said fixed member and movable member are substantially co-planar; wherein clamping means is provided at one end of the movable means for engagement with the frame to secure the movable member in said preselected position; wherein the cooperating means comprises a threaded bolt threadably journalled to the underside of the movable means, and nonthreadably journalled to the underside of the frame, said threaded bolt being operable by crank means attached to one end thereof; wherein the spanning means includes a flat overlay bar having the opposite ends thereof affixed to the frame and upper edge of the fixed means and disposed substantially perpendicularly with respect to the fixed means, and a slidable flat overlay bar transversely disposed across the frame and upper edge of the fixed means, and securing means cooperating between said slidable overlay bar and the fixed means for removably securing the slidable overlay bar in preselected positions.
 2. A jig for holding doors during a work operation thereon comprising a substantially rectangular frame support at a predetermined elevation, door support means provided on the frame and having fixed means for receiving an edge of the door thereagainst, movable means slidably secured to the frame for engaging and supporting an oppositely disposed edge of the door disposed against said fixed means, means cooperating with said movable means for securely retaining the door between the movable means and fixed means, and means carried by the frame for spanning the upper surface of the door disposed in the door supporting means, wherein the spanning means includes a flat overlay bar having the opposite ends thereof affixed to the frame and upper edge of the fixed means and disposed substantially perpendicular with respect to the fixed means, and a slidable flat overlay bar transversely disposed across the frame and upper edge of the fixed means, and securing means cooperating between said slidable overlay bar and the fixed means for removably securing the slidable overlay bar in preselected positions. 